The purpose of this study is to to demonstrate the feasibility and tolerability of the use of Sativex in cannabis dependent individuals and to assess the effects of fixed or self titrated dosages of SATIVEX® (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol /cannabidiol combination in a buccal spray) on withdrawal symptoms, craving scores and cannabis consumption during the study period.

Participants will be requested to take a fixed dose of Sativex during this condition (40 sprays per day)

Drug: Sativex

Subjects will participate in each of 8 conditions, lasting 5 weekdays each (an ABACADAE study design); four smoke as usual conditions (SAU) and four cannabis abstinence conditions. During each abstinence condition (B, C, D, E conditions), subjects will be allocated to one conditions including self-titration of placebo, fixed dose of placebo, self-titration of SATIVEX (up to a max of 40 sprays per day, equal to 108mg THC) or fixed dose of SATIVEX (40 sprays per day). Each medication phase will be followed by a washout period where individuals will be requested to smoke cannabis as usual (A condition). The experimental conditions will be: type of SATIVEX® spray used (active vs placebo), and titration regimen (fixed or self-titrated).

Other Name: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol

Experimental: Self-titrated Sativex

Participants will be requested to self-titrate dosages of Sativex (up to 40 sprays per day)

Drug: Sativex

Subjects will participate in each of 8 conditions, lasting 5 weekdays each (an ABACADAE study design); four smoke as usual conditions (SAU) and four cannabis abstinence conditions. During each abstinence condition (B, C, D, E conditions), subjects will be allocated to one conditions including self-titration of placebo, fixed dose of placebo, self-titration of SATIVEX (up to a max of 40 sprays per day, equal to 108mg THC) or fixed dose of SATIVEX (40 sprays per day). Each medication phase will be followed by a washout period where individuals will be requested to smoke cannabis as usual (A condition). The experimental conditions will be: type of SATIVEX® spray used (active vs placebo), and titration regimen (fixed or self-titrated).

Other Name: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol

Placebo Comparator: Fixed dose placebo

Participants will be requested to administer a fixed dose of placebo daily (40 sprays per day)

Drug: Placebo spray

Subjects will participate in each of 8 conditions, lasting 5 weekdays each (an ABACADAE study design); four smoke as usual conditions (SAU) and four cannabis abstinence conditions. During each abstinence condition (B, C, D, E conditions), subjects will be allocated to one conditions including self-titration of placebo, fixed dose of placebo, self-titration of SATIVEX (up to a max of 40 sprays per day, equal to 108mg THC) or fixed dose of SATIVEX (40 sprays per day). Each medication phase will be followed by a washout period where individuals will be requested to smoke cannabis as usual (A condition). The experimental conditions will be: type of SATIVEX® spray used (active vs placebo), and titration regimen (fixed or self-titrated).

Other Name: Ethanol, propylene glycol and peppermint oil with colors

Placebo Comparator: Self-titrated placebo

Participants will be requested to self-titrate dosages of placebo spray (up to 40 sprays per day)

Drug: Placebo spray

Subjects will participate in each of 8 conditions, lasting 5 weekdays each (an ABACADAE study design); four smoke as usual conditions (SAU) and four cannabis abstinence conditions. During each abstinence condition (B, C, D, E conditions), subjects will be allocated to one conditions including self-titration of placebo, fixed dose of placebo, self-titration of SATIVEX (up to a max of 40 sprays per day, equal to 108mg THC) or fixed dose of SATIVEX (40 sprays per day). Each medication phase will be followed by a washout period where individuals will be requested to smoke cannabis as usual (A condition). The experimental conditions will be: type of SATIVEX® spray used (active vs placebo), and titration regimen (fixed or self-titrated).

Other Name: Ethanol, propylene glycol and peppermint oil with colors

Detailed Description:

This will be a one year pilot/feasibility study, assessing the effects of fixed or self titrated dosages of SATIVEX® (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol /cannabidiol combination in a buccal spray) on withdrawal from cannabis and craving among cannabis dependent subjects. Subjects in this study will undergo an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects will be regular cannabis-users who are not currently seeking treatment for cannabis dependence. Subjects will participate in each of 8 conditions, lasting 5 weekdays each (an ABACADAE study design); four smoke as usual conditions (SAU) and four cannabis abstinence conditions. During each abstinence condition (B, C, D, E conditions), subjects will be allocated to one conditions including self-titration of placebo, fixed dose of placebo, self-titration of SATIVEX (up to a max of 40 sprays per day, equal to 108mg THC) or fixed dose of SATIVEX (40 sprays per day). Each medication phase will be followed by a washout period where individuals will be requested to smoke cannabis as usual (A condition). The experimental conditions will be: type of SATIVEX® spray used (active vs placebo), and titration regimen (fixed or self-titrated). This pilot study will allow us to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and to determine the sample size to use secondarily for a larger study. Our ultimate goal is to determine optimal conditions to use for a subsequent randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of SATIVEX® in treatment of Cannabis dependence among treatment-seeking subjects.

have a history of seizures; c)have known sensitivity to Dronabinol, Cannabidiol, Propylene glycole, Ethanol or peppermint oil (used in Sativex buccal spray

suffer from an unstable medical condition

currently have physical dependence on any other drugs (excluding nicotine) that would require medical detoxification

currently taking psychotropic medication with benefit for any other illness than treatment of insomnia

pregnant or breast-feeding

hold a job that involves operating heavy machinery

currently seeking treatment for cannabis-related problems

family history of psychotic symptoms

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01748799